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It’s (almost) summer in Wilmington, and the events can’t, and won’t, stop

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Welcome to the weekly Port City Life newsletter brought to you by me, StarNews reporter John Staton.

Since we last spoke, a few things have happened. On Sunday, I witnessed an epic performance by Georgia garage rock legends The Woggles at Carolina Beach’s Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar, which has resumed concerts on its pier after taking a year off so that the pier could be reinforced. Antic lead singer Manfred Jones, aka The Professor, sang while standing on a high-top table at one point, and may have coined what could be the Ocean Grill’s new musical motto: “At the end of the pier, we have no fear.”

A rare Monday night concert at midtown rock club Reggie’s had me seeing Wilmington rockers Ridgewood for the first time. They’re the real deal, with compelling frontman Elliot Stanford delivering razor-sharp renditions of the band’s tuneful rock songs. Tuesday was the first preliminary round of the Port City’s Top Comic contest at Dead Crow Comedy Room, which continues with shows June 18 and 25.

And last night, I somehow found myself on the red carpet at Thalian Hall interviewing Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, who was in town for a movie premiere. I got to tell him my story about that time in junior high when someone drew the Twisted Sister logo, an interconnected “T” and “S,” on all the lockers in the boy’s locker room at Roland-Grise. The culprit is still at large.

OK! The past is behind us, let’s check what’s in the future.

Weekend weather outlook

It’s shaping up to be a decent-looking weekend, with a chance of rain and clouds Sunday but otherwise mostly clear, with highs near 90. Sunday might be kind of glorious, with sunny skies and a high temp of just 85 or so.

Go | See | Do

It’s still spring, technically. The summer solstice doesn’t hit until June 20, so June 14-16 will officially be the final weekend of spring, 2024.

There’s plenty of stuff to get out there and enjoy, including the North Carolina Blueberry Festival in Burgaw and Wilmington’s Juneteenth Festival in Maides Park.

Plus, there’s a charming (and free) production of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater; the opening of a new play from a long-dormant Wilmington theater company; and the return of former Wilmington musician Stuart McLamb, who made waves here with his indie rock band The Love Language in the late 2000s. McLamb has a tunefully rootsy new band, Fancy Gap, which plays Bourgie Nights downtown on Saturday.

Happenings: 12 things to do in the Wilmington area for the final weekend of spring

The Dish with Port City Foodies

A local chef fell short at the prestigious James Beard Awards, but he counted the night as a win since a watch party held for the event raised nearly $15,000 for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. Food writer Allison Ballard has the story.

Plus, 10 local chefs compete in a national competition, and a Brunswick County food franchise serves its fare at this week’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

Getting to know the Weemses

Just in time for Father’s Day, we’ve got the story of how a young Wilmington actress’ success on stage led to her father getting his first acting role after a long career in business and finance. We talk with Hallie-Claire Weems and her dad, Marlon Weems, about their relationship and how theater created a new connection between them.

For Father’s Day: How Wilmington theater helped connect a father and daughter

News you can use

Thalian Hall hosted the premiere of a Wilmington-shot horror film starring Russell Crowe. A couple of celebrities were in attendance; here’s how it all went down.

Plus, a downtown Wilmington business owner is vowing to continue a free weekly concert series despite drawing fines from the city of Wilmington, and a low-pressure system could bring heavy surf and rip currents to area beaches this weekend.

‘The Exorcism’: Thalian Hall sells out for premiere of Wilmington-shot film, with a celebrity guest or two

Let’s get social

For more Port City Life news, including updates to food and entertainment stories, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/MyPortCityLife. 

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